“It doesn’t change the truth that you two had no intention of helping me exact my revenge if that bastard is still alive! But I’m sure of it! My instincts can’t be wrong! That bastard is definitely alive!” Istana Gleriath spat as her hair turned partially grey.
Astoria Braveheart heaved a sigh before giving it some thought.
The sixth sense of a Senior Witch nearing the end of their lifespan might have some truth behind it.
After all, it was possible for Senior Witches to develop strange abilities near death.
While it was established that Senior Witches could live over three hundred years, there were instances when their lifespans could be depleted prematurely.
And those instances are when they burn their lifeforce to use magic.
In the Holy War with the Gehenna Realm’s demons three hundred years ago, many of today’s surviving Senior Witches were forced to burn their lifeforce in many instances during the great battle, whether it was for their own survival or for the continuation of humankind.
“If Vaan Raphna is still alive, that would be great. And even if he killed Isabelle Gleriath, I wouldn’t persecute him. Teacher Raphna did our Blackmoon Academy a great favor by ridding that tumorous wench,” Astoria Braveheart coolly stated.
“You bitch…!” Istana Gleriath gnashed teeth hatefully.
However, before Istana Gleriath could make another move on Astoria Braveheart, she was swatted to the ground by the large greatsword.
Pfft!
Istana Gleriath spurted another mouthful of blood.
“Don’t forget that it was your daughter who caused Librarian Eniwse to go berserk! Librarian Eniwse, a Wise Scholar! Even if your daughter wasn’t murdered, she would have received the death penalty to appease all the academics across the seven witch kingdoms who would be saddened by Wise Scholar Eniwse’s loss!”
Astoria Braveheart kept Istana Gleriath planted on the ground with her large greatsword while criticizing her.
“You’re wrong! It wasn’t my daughter’s fault! It was all that bastard’s fault! Men are to be blamed! They are the root of all problems! I’ve said it before, and I will say it again! If he didn’t exist, none of this would have happened!”
Istana Gleriath howled madly.
Her fingers dug into the hard ground, splitting her nails and cutting her skin as her hands clenched, using all her strength to free herself from Astoria Braveheart’s suppression.
Alas, Istana Gleriath’s efforts proved to be futile.
“You can try to shift the blame all you want, but the truth won’t change,” Astoria Braveheart stated coldly.
“Teacher Raphna has contributed much more to the advancement of magic than your daughter ever would. Not only has she not contributed anything, she even caused us to lose talented people!”
“If your daughter was still alive, I would have cut her head off myself!” Astoria Braveheart claimed.
“Ptui! Fucking hypocrite bitch!” Istana Gleriath spat under Astoria Braveheart’s greatsword. “Are those the words a Saint should be saying?! What a joke!”
“Oh?” Astoria Braveheart’s eyes glistened with ridicule.
“I might be called the Battle Maiden of Holy Light, but the title of Saint isn’t something I claimed for myself. That was a title given to me by others under the misconception of my kindness and impressive healing magic.”
“You, of all people, should have known that. I guess old age has made your memory go bad, so let me help you jog your memory. For the continuation of humanity, I’ve picked up the sword and felled my fair share of demons during the Holy War.”
“If not for my light-attribute mana giving me such a false image of holiness, perhaps a title like the Butcherer of Ten-thousand Demons would have been more fitting for me,” Astoria Braveheart coolly stated.
“And that’s why we get along,” Ember Killian smiled at Astoria Braveheart as she inserted herself into their conversation.
“What a sorry mess you are, Istana. If I had to become like this when my lifespan is ending, I would have killed myself to avoid causing trouble for others.”
Ember Killian shook her head contemptuously at Istana Gleriath’s unsightly demeanor as she clawed the ground fruitlessly.
“You’ve caused enough trouble, Istana. And in case you’ve forgotten, you still have to answer for your own crimes. We may have caught the Assembly of Silent Night’s lackeys together, but that doesn’t make us friends.”
“I will have you answer for the innocent lives that were lost by your reckless action of inciting the Dark Hellhounds,” Ember Killian sternly stated.
“Heh, ptui!”
Istana Gleriath snickered disdainfully before spitting on Ember Killian’s lower dress. And as a result of that action, Ember Killian kicked several teeth out of her mouth.
Shortly after, Istana Gleriath spat out some remnant broken teeth along with her blood.
“Did I strike a nerve?” Istana Gleriath continued to antagonize the two High Witches despite her pathetic situation. “You can only bully me like this because my strength is inferior.”
After Ember Killian cleaned the stain off her dress with magic, she started to look at Istana Gleriath’s unsightly appearance with a mixture of pity and disdain.
“I suppose three hundred years of ruling the Blackmoon Region have made you complacent about a lot of things, Istana. You are wrong about everything,” Ember Killian stated.
“First of all, the people within the Blackmoon Region aren’t your people; they are Her Majesty’s people. They were entrusted under your care. And secondly, I can do more than just report to Her Majesty. As the Grand Inquisitor, I can execute anyone below my nobility rank as long as I have sufficient justification for doing so.”
“But since you disrespected me, immediately death would be too easy for you. I’m bringing you back to the capital, along with the wolf-men, of course. I’m sure Her Majesty has a suitable judgment for all of you.”
“That being said, you can forget about being a lord any longer. Someone else will become the new Lord of the Blackmoon Region,” Ember Killian declared.